Getting Back to Martha (Pepper) Daugherty

This is Martha Peper Daugherty, 1838-1924.

I'm getting tired of worrying about what my previous postings have contained and the desire NOT to duplicate. I'm thinking that that is what has made me cautious about blogging lately. Phooey...if I repeat myself, too bad. This is my 175th posting and I guess thath I want to get back to Martha.

What do I know about Martha Pepper Daugherty? Above you'll see an obituary of her.
Martha was born January 3, 1838, in Chillocothee, Ross County, Ohio. I need to find out where that is in the state. She was married to William Henry Daugherty February 19th, 1861 in Wapello, Iowa, though I do have an possibility of Delavan, Tazwell County, Iowa (stated by her obituary.) In front of me, after a bit of hunting through all my Daugherty information, I have a State of Iowa, Certificate of Marriage, County Wapello, of William H. Daugherty and Martha Pepper. There really is very little information other than this. They were married by A.A. Douglas, Justice of the Peace. Their marriage was License No. 23. I just deleted the Delavan, Tazwell County fact. I'm wondering who mistakenly wrote that in. Don't always believe everything in an obituary!

William Henry Daugherty and Martha Pepper Daugherty had 10 children, one being my ggrandfather, George Henry Daugherty. There is a possibility of them having only 9 children. William was said to have had some habits that were detrimental to their marriage. I have heard philandering, gambling, drinking...a "scallowag". No matter what his problems were, I have heard that Martha kicked him out of the house, where he ended up in a poor farm in Kansas. Martha was heard saying, "Don't bury me by that son-of-a-bitch." So needless to say, she's buried in Wessington Cemetery and he, in an unmarked grave in Glen Wood Cemetery, Glen Elder, Kansas. You've got to admire a woman with that kind of guts. I rather believe the gambling part, as William started with quite a bit of land and I'm not sure where it went. I need to do some more research on this.

Martha was the daughter of John Pepper and Rebecca Gordon. She was one of 11 children...many of them well educated. Thomas Shawcross has been very helpful in sharing his Pepper information. We really don't know about the Pepper family before John's parent, Frederick Pepper ( b. 1762 in Pennsylvania) and Deborah Gisburt ( born 1779 in Ohio). Of Deborah's parents, I know nothing. Of Frederick's maybe his father's name...Jacob.

There is so much information needed on the Pepper/Peppers family. Perhaps they were originally from Germany.

Letter to Bill (John William) Daugherty 1935

To begin this posting, I must admit a confusion of dates. Mother's great uncle Bill (John William) Daugherty was the brother of my ggrandfather George Daugherty. I have his death date as 1927, which does not jive with the date this letter was sent to Bill...Feb. 15th, 1935. Note: Just got a message from Mom and she said that that date must be wrong, as she remembers her mother and Dad (Irene and Fred Daugherty) living at Bill's place before they moved to Colorado and maybe before they lived in Bonilla. She remembers visiting them there. That certainly would date Bill's death no earlier than 1947. The letter was sent from Muscogee, Oklahoma.

I have John William Daugherty as born May 1862 in Illinois, the son of William Henry Daugherty and Martha Pepper Daugherty. He was married to Mary Murphy, in 1904. The area of Gettysburg, SD is located NW of Miller, or SE of Mobridge, on the east side of the Missouri River. This letter was written during the Great Depression.

Here are portions of the letter, copied from information from Helen McNeil (McGirr).

"Dear Friend, Will,
Your letter at hand and glad to hear from you. I often live over the times we had in Dakota during the summer of 1883--regarding the killings of a Buffalo near Gettysburg (SD). Chas. Bently and his cousin Ned Abercrombie and I were on claims in Potter County, some 8 miles SW of Gettysburg. It was late in the afternoon. I had a tent in which we had our beds and other belongings. Nearby was their shack, built across their two claims in which we had a stove and cooked and ate all our meals. Ned and I noticed Charley coming out of the tent and running out to where his horses were staked, jumping on one of them and away he went in a dead run towards the north, and towards two black looking objects, which we couln't make out what they might be.
Sometime during the night, Charley came to the tent and threw in one forefoot of the Buffalo, which he had brought to show us the reason for his wild ride. He told us in detail how he saw the 2 buffalo coming toward our habitation and ran to the tent for a bridle and jumping on his horse with one suspender holding his trousers up, gave chase. Knowing the buffalo had come from the direction of Gettysburg, he headed thence back that direction hoping that he could find the settlers there on the hunt for them and sure enough as he approached Gettysburg he saw several out, some on horses and one man afoot and who had an old army musket and who gave the gun to Charley. During this time our man who had a good gun had been shooting at one of the buffaloes, the other having escaped. Charles rode alongside the animal and let him have the contents of the old army musket, which brought the animal down and the other men with guns soon finished the battle. As I remember, two men with guns were at the finish and claimed it their game.

Charles claimed it was his one shot that brought the animal to the ground and as he had run them to these men he was going to have part of it. Well, Charles said to Ned and I, "Boys, we will get up early in the morning, go over to Gettysburg and we will bring back 1/3 of that buffalo." Of course, we unanimously agreed. So soon after sun up we were in Gettysburg. As I remember, these 2 men had a Hardware store. The 3 of us went into the store, quite a few townspeople were there standing around. The storekeeper had all the meat cut up and offering it for sale. Charles addressed the man, saying "I have come for my share of that buffalo." (Ned and I never said anything but tried to look as if we were ready for any emergency.) The man didn't agree that Charles was entitled to any of it. Charles says, "I run them in here and it was my shot that brought the animal to the ground, whereupon your men finished him and I claim 1/3 of it."

Charles knew one of the citizens who was in the store and evidently the town people were favorable to our having a share of the meat, so the 2 store keepers said all right. Charles at once offered some of our part to the man he was acquainted with and some others, but they said, "no, you have neighbors over where you are located and who would like it, we can get what we want of these men who were in at the killing" so we returned home after favoring out neighbors with fresh met, ourselves with several bountiful feeds. We salted the remainder and having it out in the hot sun for a few days where it cured.

Charles gave me a hunk of it when he left us to return home to teach school, having engaged to teach near his home town Aleda, Ill. Ned returned to Aledo and became a veterinarian. I came to Mo. and finally became a druggist. Have had my ups and downs and it seems mostly downs, but for all I had had a good time generally speaking. I have good health, like to work, have been busy today making a garden. Have a comfortable home in Muskogee, modern, gas, water and electricity. Due to my age (76) unable to have a steady job so I get a day or so now and then as relief for some druggist who want off. We came here in 1920 or '30. Wages $35.00 now $15 to $20 would be considered good. One man gave me $40 a week is just about broke now, has no clerk except the soda fountain help.

Well, Will, you had better sell out your Dakota holdings and come to the Ozarks. Here we have a fine climate, have had scarcely any winter. Letters from Mo. and Chicago today tell me all are well. I am glad to hear from you. Hope you can read this, 'tis 10:30 bed time. With very best regards, W.L.Crabb

I thought this letter very interesting. Killing a buffalo meant a lot of food for the people in that area. I did find the name W.L.Crabb periodically in Internet searches.

Continuation of Ann Pryor Enke

The following is the rest of Jack's story of Mauch Chunk, Penn. I am quoting him on most of this posting.

"I mentioned that Mauch Chunk (Penn.) was founded in 1818 by Josiah White, head of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. Josiah had an aunt Hannah who married Thomas Pryor. These were all Quaker folk from Burlington Co., New Jersey (and later Philadelphia). Thomas and Hannah had four known children: Mary, John, George, and Thomas Jr. Mary Pryor married William Letchworth and several years ago I was surprised to find that this was the ancestry of my uncle (by marriage - husband of my dad's sister). John Pryor (2/14/1771) married Keziah Weeks and they had 12 children, the third of which was Anne (6/24/1799) who married 'Mr. Enk'. John and Keziah Pryor were among the early settlers of Mauch Chunk and he died in 1838 in Mauch Chunk. Keziah died in 1843 in Wilkes Barre.

Of the other children of Thomas and Hannah Pryor, George married Betty Pierson in 1803 (the extent of what I know of that branch) and Thomas White Pryor married Susanna Edge and they seem to have settled in Montgomery Co., Pa.

It is interesting that John and Anne (Pryor) Enke ended up in Mahoning Co., Ohio. A few miles south of Mauch Chunk/Jim Thorpe is the township of Mahoning. It was carved out of East Penn Township about 1833 and is still a mostly rural area. The town of Lehighton was originally part of this township but separated from it in the 1860s. It would be interesting to know the roots of Mahoning Co., Ohio and how it got its name.

Enke sounds like it could be a name of Pennsylvania German background. Maybe the spelling is a variation on 'Eck', a common 'Pennsylvania Deutsch' surname in southeastern PA. As for Annie White Wilson and her son, Wm. White Wilson, it is probably just a coincidence with no connection to the Josiah White. I had mentioned that Lydia (Anne's daughter) married a William White Wilson...interesting repetition of the White name. Josiah White had 5 children but only a couple reached maturity and none had children - so there's no living descendent of Josiah White today. Of Josiah's 5 siblings, only one brother seems to have had children.

You should be in luck researching the Pryors and Whites since my understanding is the Quakers kept very good genealogical records. I haven't been able to find anything on the background of Thomas Pryor, but the Whites I've traced back to the 1600s using the Family Search (Mormon Archives) website.

Looking at the map of Pennsylvania, I see that Jim Thorpe is located not far from the home of my uncle David. He lives in Allentown. I checked the Internet for information concerning the Mauch Chunk/Jim Thorpe area and found some terrific photos and information. I think I'll visit eBay and see what is to be found there.

3rd Great Grandmother - Anne Susan Pryor (Enke family)

I just love it when I get a totally unexpected message from an historian opening up a new venue of information. That's what happened this week - March 25th. Jack, historian for the Mauch Chunk Historical Society wrote to me about my posting concerning Alfred Enke. Jack knew of Alfred's father, Jesse Pryor Enke and of Jesse's mother Anna Pryor. Anna (I have her as Anne Susan Pryor) was the daughter of John Pryor, who was "one of the earliest settlers of Mauch Chunk (Penn)." This John Pryor was "a first cousin of Josiah White, the industrialist who founded both the town of Mauch Chunk and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. Anna Pryor had a brother named Jesse Pryor as well as a nephew with that name. In many cases, 'Jesse' is the affectionate form of the name 'Josiah' and it would make sense John Pryor would name a son for his benefector cousin." Jack feels that Anna and "Mr. Enke" (that would be John Enke) left Mauch Chunk before 1830.

I just knew tiny bits about Anne Susan Pryor and her husband John Enke. I knew that Anne was born in New Jersey. She and John were married about 1817 in Lancaster, Penn. They had a huge family, about 15 children, including the above Jesse Pryor Enke and my 2nd great grandmother, Lydia, who married William White Wilson.
Here is what Jack wrote to me on April 2, 2010

"In 1954 the towns of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk merged to form the town of Jim Thorpe. It was a major shipping point for anthracite coal in the 19th century. The offices of two railroads and several coal companies were here and towards the end of the century it was one of the wealthiest towns - per capita- in the USA. Besides being at the forefront of the industrial reveolution it also became a very popular tourist town. When coal fell out of favor and the railroads nearly all died out, the town almost died, too. But since the 1970s, tourism has returned and Jim Thorpe's gone through quite a revival. If you go to eBay and do a search of 'Mauch Chunk' you'll find a lot of photos of the town and surroundings. It was one of the most photographed places in America durig the Victorian era." I'll continue Jack's wonderful dialogue in the next posting.

Alfred Alonzo Enke - 1st Cousin 3x Removed

This Edie Adams, whose father Sheldon Enke, was the grandson of Jesse Pryor Enke, the brother of Lydia Enke, my 2nd great grandmother.

The following information was given to me by Erich Enke. This is the history of Alfred Alonzo Enke, whose father, Jesse, was the brother of my 2nd great grandmother, Lydia Enke Wilson. There is so much to be learned of the Encke family. This is from the history , "Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pensylvania Genealogies and Family Histories, Volume I-II" page 408. Erich notes that where "he speaks of John, his grandfather, I think he might be mistaken and be thinking instead of Lewis, his great grandfather."

ALFRED A. ENKE

"No higher words of commendation or praise can be said of any man than that he has made a prominent place in the world and honorably fills it. The most useful and trustworthy men are those who have risen to a high position by their own efforst and asserted thereby their right to a place with those whose names have been handed down in the pages of history as men worth of recognition. Among these is Alfred A. Enke, president of the Nanticoke National Bank, who was born in Berwick, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1851.

The paternal grandfather of Alfred A. Enke was John Enke, a native of Germany who left his native country during the struggle for independence between England and the young colonies, and in this conflict he bore an active part. He was a man of considerable ability and intelligence, whose parents had set him apart for the church, but who thought for himself as he advanced in years and determined to choose his own career. After the war ceased and the colonists were victorious, he settled at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather of Alfred A. Enke was Abel Dalbey, who was a cabinet maker and painter by trade. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age, he passing away at 77 and she at 76 years.

The parents of Alfred A. Enke were Jesse P. and Hannah (Dalbey) Enke,the former was born at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and the latter in Luzerne county, a descendent of a Quaker origin. She died April, 1863. Their children were seven in number, three of whom are living at the present time (1905); Alfred A., Josph M., John W.

Alfred A. Enke was reared in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, and educated in the common schools thereof, qualifying himself during this period for clerical calling. In 1876 he moved to Nanticoke, where he has since resided. He entered the employ of the Susquehanna Coal Company, and for a period of 32 years held the respect and confidence of its management, during the greater portion of which time he had charge of one of the pay rolls of the company. He is a member of Nanticoke Lode, No. 541, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master; Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and Irem (?) Temple, Wilkes-Barre. Mr Enke has never entered the arena of politics, preferring to devote his time to business undividedly.

In 1874 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Daisy A. Rambach, who bore him two children: Daniel Clyde, deceased, and Mary E. Mrs. Enke died May 10, 1878. In 1881 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Ida E. Hess, who also bore him two children; Emily L., a trained nurse, a graduate of Wilkes-Barre Hospital, and George P., a graduate of Lehigh University in mechanical engineering and now employed as a specialist with the German Insurance Company in New York City. The mother of these children died April 4, 1884. In 1888 Mr. Enke was married to Miss Amy J. Anderson, of Herrick, Brandford county, Pennsylvania. There is no issue of this union."

Erich puts a couple of notations after this history. "Note how the author (presumably Alfred) is cautious not to mention which side of the war his ancestor fought for." And Jesse Pryor Enke had another son, Ralph, who had a son named Sheldon, who had a daughter named Edith Elizabeth Enke, who is perhaps better known as her stage name, Edie Adams."

Erich is looking for contact people for this family. I'd be glad to share his E-Mail address to anyone who would like to communicate with family members.

Early Beadle County - by Mildred McEwen Jones, 1961

I feel that a lengthy booklet in my possession merits mentioning. It is titled, "Early Beadle County, 1879 to 1900 and was written by Mildred McEwen Jones. The dedication includes these words, "...and to all Pioneers that their sons and daughters may know the nobility which they inherit."

My ancestors are mentioned but in passing, but the booklet does give a good view of the lifes, and histories of the pioneers of this era.

"It is no wonder our ancestors were attracted by the newness of the country. By 1880 much of the land in eastern US had been taken. People were out of work and restless. Transcontinental railroads were being built and everyone was talking about Dakota." The author's father was "impelled by the consuming ambition to try the unknown."

"To prove up his claim, one paid $14 when filing then had to live on the claim for five years and pay $4 more for final proof. One could prove up in six months by paying $1.25 an ancre. The government required five acres of breaking the first year. Improvements such as a house and well were to be made in six months, but that time was extended in 1881 because of the hard winter.

Then acres of trees were to be put on tree claims with at least 2700 trees to the acre. These trees were to be cultivated for eight years. At the end of that time, 675 living trees to the acre were required to prove up. The first year settlers were to break five acres; the second year, five acres more and cultivate the first five acres. The fourth year they were to plant the second five acres to trees and cultivate the first. Thereafter, all were to be kept clean and cultivated. Not many tree claims have the original trees. One in Nance Township - that of William Henry Daugherty- still have trees started in 1892."

Descriptions of the hard winters and blizzards, Indian situations, the importance of good water, prairie fires, floods and cyclones were interestling detailed.

The following sentence has an interest to me, concerning blizzards. "We've never found the graves of my aunt and two uncles," said Earl French whose father's two brothers and sister were frozen to death while returning from school in Pleasant View Township. My two aunts firmly believed that my gggrandfather, Peter DeLong, froze in Bonilla in a blizzard.

The section on Schools has the mention of Hattie Daugherty Place, which I shared a few days ago. Then later, "Since many objected to using the schoolhouses for dancing, literary societies were started. Mrs. Hattie (Daugherty) Place (mother's great aunt)wrote of starting one in 1884. These societies gave an opportunity for expression in debates, oratory, and entertainment. Note: A "Mrs. Ed Wilson" is mentioned periodically. William Wilson's son was named William Edgar Wilson. Perhaps worth thinking about.

In the supplement at the end of the book,are these words, "Nance Township, organized 1884 was named for J.D. Nance, one of the directors. Before being organized it was eight miles square, including two miles in Bonilla and two in Whitside. Settlers were the families of Ambrose Barnes, Charles Brady, George Brown, David Brown, Joe Croes, Sr., E.D. Curtis, W.H. Daugherty, Herman Fritzche, Martin Keller, Fenton McNeill, Walter Parkeson, Carl Tipton, and W.W. Wilson." The Brady, Wilson, and Daugherty family are ancestors.

A fascinating history. I'm not sure if it can be purchased anywhere. Really glad I have it.

1957 Letter from Hattie Daugherty Place

This is Hattie...a very special person in the history of the Daugherty family.

I wanted to share this letter sent to my aunt, Beulah Daugherty Goehring on Jan., 1, 1957. The writer was Mother's and Beulah's great aunt, Hattie (Harriet D. Daugherty Place). She lived in Wessington, SD at the time of this writing. I think we'll get some sort of idea of the daily life of our South Dakota Ancestors. Hattie died in 1959. She was born in 1863.

"Dear Alton, Beulah and Family,
Thank you for the message your lovely card brought me. I spent Christmas Day with Audrey (Laura Audrey Place Sisco), Hattie's daughter. Jack McGirr (niece Mable Daugherty McGirr's husband)came with car for me and called five PM and brought me home at 6:30. Edna Pesicka, (Hattie's other daughter...not sure why she called Edna by her last name and not Audrey), her son Don and his three boys surprised us. They went home to Dupree on Thursday.

Edna could not stay longer this time but promised to come in spring and help me clean house. It will surely need it by the, for I do not dig out as often as I should. Do all my own work, but no more than needed, through the winter months.

Johnny D. (Hattie's brother, Fred & his wife Ona Daugherty's son), returned from Germany in October. He is staying at Audrey's. I hear from Edna Veal often (the sister of Johnny). She doesn't like Germany (Edna was a nurse in the service...think that her husband Richard Veal was in the special services...no dates). Their time is up in June.

I suppose the weather there is similar to ours, colder today. Yesterday, during the middle of the day I had the north, south and east doors open nearly all afternoon and today they are closed with rugs rammed against them at the floor.

This has been an unusual quiet day. Lloyd, Helen and Susan called when I was at my breakfast. (Lloyd & Helen must be Lloyd & Helen McGirr McNeil and Susan must be Helen's sister Hazel McNeil's daughter.) Haven't seen a soul since, now 8:30 P.M.

They were on their way to Cliff's (both Helen & Hazel's brother, and Susan's brother were named Cliff - so not sure which one...the latter is probably the case ?) for dinner and were driving home from there. They did not get to her mother's (Hazel Daugherty McGirr) for Christmas. Jackie (Helen McGirr McNeil's daughter) only got the one day off (she works in a bank) so they could not come and Helen stayed home for their Christmas. Hazel (Helen's sister) did not get home either. Cliff and (? difficult to read...)and families were home. Jack is looking and feeling fine.

I am glad Douglas (Beulah's son - my first cousin) got over his sickness and is back in school. Do the children have far to go to school?

Aunt Laura (Grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty's sister - married to Grandpa Fred I. Daugherty's brother) calls frequently. They are fine. Marjory (Laura's daughter) called on me when home for Christmas. She is quite tall, thin and very sweet and pretty.

My vision improved a little. Can read my own writing now, and about half the other letters I receive. I could read yours easily. Written with black ink on white paper. Can't read printed matter.

The ladies of the Study Club gave me a lovely Bible with large print at our Christmas party in December. I have read five chapters in it, some 9 or 10 verses at a time. Can't read fast enough to get much good of it but will keep on trying bit by bit. Have every faith that in time my reading sight will return.

I still listen to my radio to pass time away. When nothing interesting on it, play solitaire. Have lots of callers which makes the days pass quickly.

Bob D, (probably Robbie Daugherty, grandpa Fred I.'s brother), calls nearly every day. Brings my mail, carries in my water, and if it ever snows will keep my walks shoveled. He has not been in for three days. Is not too well. Ate something at the cafe which didn't sit well.

I hope your Christmas and the holidays have been the best ever, and that 1957 will deal to you the best of everything and all your heart's desires. Had a nice letter from your mom (grandma Irene Carrington Daugherty), David, Kenneth (my uncles) and Helen (Mom) sent the family picture. So nice of her. When you are over this way stop and see me. With love and best wishes, Aunt Hattie."

Hattie was 94 when she wrote this...obviously living alone. This is a confusing letter as there are so many names as well as many interrelated people (3 Daugherty brothers married 3 Carrington sisters). It's easy to understand how important letters and visitors were for Hattie. That's the case with people nowdays. It's too bad that many families are so seperated by miles. The older I get the more important family has become.

You can read more about my Great Great Aunt Hattie in other posts in the Daugherty/Carrington Prairie Roots Blogsite.